Living in Light
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The Life of Abraham: Living Out God’s Story | Living in Light
Bible Reference: Genesis 21:1-6
Big idea: Knowing God’s faithfulness can change the way we live our lives.
Living in Light
After so many years of waiting, Abraham and Sarah finally receive their promised gift from God. Isaac was miraculously born to the couple in their old age. If Abraham had known then what he knew as he was carrying Isaac in his arms, the life choices he made prior might have been very different.
Similarly, how would your life be different if you understood the certainty of God’s faithfulness to you, and how can we learn to live in light of God’s faithfulness?
In this session we will learn 5 ways to respond to God’s faithfulness:
#1 Know that you are favoured by God
Genesis 21:1-2
The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age.
For decades Abraham and Sarah wanted a child but they could not, because it was biologically impossible. However, God did a miracle and Isaac was born. Why and how did it happen? It was because of God’s faithfulness to them. They should have realized that God’s favour was with them all along.
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.
When God favours you, it means that you are one of His favourites. God’s favour is on us not because of us, but because of Jesus. It is helpful for us to know two things about favour:
Favour is not dependent on our circumstances.
Abraham left everything to follow God but had nothing to show for it for a long time.
Jesus died a brutal death on a cross.
Paul shipwrecked and beaten many times.
Having God’s favour doesn’t mean that we do not go through trouble. Despite going through difficulties, we can still have God’s favour.
Favour is the power to change our circumstances.
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.
How does knowing God’s favour change the way you face situations in your life?
2 Kings 13:4
Then Jehoahaz sought the LORD’s favor, and the LORD heard him, for He saw the oppression the king of Aram inflicted on Israel.
Since we know that God’s favour is on us, we can be unashamed to seek His favour and let Him bring change to your circumstances.
#2 Wait patiently for God’s promises
Genesis 21:2
This happened at just the time God had said it would.
At God’s perfect timing, Isaac was born. God has a schedule for every promise He has given you and will faithfully bring them to pass. What we need to do is wait patiently and hopefully.
Romans 8:24-25
Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
It is a real spiritual battle to trust God and act in faith to His promises for us. Patience teaches us that what we are going through is not our reality, rather, it is God’s promises that defines our reality.
#3 Stay obedient to God’s Word
Genesis 21:3-5
And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
Upon God answering his long-life prayer, Abraham immediately springs into obedient action.
Romans 12:1
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Often we feel more fired up to obey God when we encountering a spiritual mountain top experience. Although experientially we might have different feelings, the truth is that God is consistently God through despite our fluctuations.
3 Reasons to obey God:
God made us
God loves us
God is good
#4 Enjoy your God-given life
Genesis 21:6
And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter."
Romans 14:17
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was the most joyful person around. He enjoyed parties and kids loved Him. Being a believer does not mean that one does not go through hard times, but knowing how much God loves us, blesses us and wants to bless us gives us the freedom to enjoy our God-given lives.
#5 Tell others about God’s faithfulness
Genesis 21:6-7
All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”
Sarah didn’t keep the story of God’s faithfulness to herself.
Psalm 89:1
I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth.
God is faithful and will carry out His promises at the appointed time, whether we understand it or not. How should we respond to His faithfulness?